The iOS 18.5 update that Apple released today includes a security fix for the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem, which is the first Apple-designed modem.

Apple iPhone 16e C1 Feature
According to Apple’s security support document for iOS 18.5, there’s a fix for a vulnerability with the C1 modem. Apple says that it addressed a baseband security flaw that could allow an attacker “in a privileged network position” to intercept network traffic. Basically, a hacker that had access to cellular network infrastructure could potentially exploit the vulnerability for surveillance or to employ a man-in-the-middle attack.

The C1’s baseband is used for signal processing, so it encodes and decodes data for communication between devices and networks, and processes calls, texts, and data connections. Apple addressed the vulnerability with improved state management, which could mean new validation checks to prevent attackers from exploiting weaknesses between operational states.

Apple released the ‌iPhone 16e‌ earlier this year, and today’s security update is notable because it marks the first security flaw discovered and addressed in the C1 modem.

iOS 18.5 also includes several other security fixes for vulnerabilities with image processing, call history, Bluetooth, file parsing, FaceTime, Notes, ProRes, WebKit, and more. None of the vulnerabilities fixed today were known to have been actively exploited, but it’s still a good idea to update right away.

Popular Stories

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy…

iOS 19 Beta is a Month Away With These New Features for Your iPhone

The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it. Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors…

Epic Games Submits Fortnite to U.S. App Store

As promised, Epic Games today submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and if approved by Apple, it will mark the first time that the Fortnite app has been available in the United States since 2020. Fortnite will include options to purchase in-app currency from the web rather than through in-app purchase, which is what got the game banned to begin with. This time, though, Apple has been…

Here Are Apple’s Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week. With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren’t found during the beta…

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here’s What We Know

Despite being more than two years old, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple’s habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven…

Top Stories: iOS 18.5 Release Imminent, iPhone Rumors for 2025 and Beyond, and More

With Apple’s developer conference where it will show off iOS 19 just a month away, the company is wrapping up work on iOS 18.5 ahead of an imminent release to deliver a few new features and updates. This week also saw a number of iPhone-related rumors, encompassing not only this year’s iPhone 17 lineup but also Apple’s plans for 2026 and 2027, even as Apple’s Eddy Cue suggested AI could make …

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The…